People First. Partnerships Always.
Laura Alphonso, JD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Principal / Co-Owner
15+ years of experience in human resources leadership roles in avariety of industries to include hospitality, non-profit, high-tech manufacturing, fintech, andconsulting.
At Z Talent and People Services LLC, we provide strategic HR solutions tailored to the unique needs of growing businesses—without the overhead of a full-time HR team. Whether you’re scaling your workforce, navigating compliance, or building a stronger company culture, we’re here to help.
Talent Sourcing & Executive Placement Services
- Specialized recruitment for engineering and executive-level roles (VP and above) in the HVAC&R industry.
- End-to-end support from sourcing and vetting to direct placement.
Which HR services are right for your business ?
Fractional HR and Project-Based Consulting Services
Fractional HR means having access to experienced HR leadership and support on a part-time or project basis.It’s a cost-effective way for small to mid-sized businesses to get expert HR guidance only when you need it. Think of it as having a seasoned HR executive in your corner,without the full-time salary.
HR Audits
- Employee classification (exempt/non-exempt, contractor vs. employee)
- Benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA)
- Form I-9 and E-Verify practices
- Talent acquisition and interview process
- Onboarding and training documentation
- Payroll compliance and final paycheck laws
- Workplace safety and OSHA documentation
- Review of employee files, turnover data, and HR systems
*Basic HR audits cover foundational compliance areas.
Compensation & Benefits Review
- Market analysis of current pay structures
- Recommendations for total rewards strategy (compensation, benefits, equity)
- Cost-effective benefits benchmarking
Talent Acquisition Optimization
- Streamlining hiring and onboarding processes
- Ensuring fair, compliant selection practices
- Interview training for hiring managers
Turnover & Retention Analysis
- Deep dive into why employees leave—and how to keep them
- Insights from candidate interest to exit
Strategic Workforce Planning
- Staffing plans aligned with business growth
- Forecasting future talent needs
Employee Relations & Engagement
- Support for investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations
- Employee engagement strategy and survey design
- Review of engagement scores and improvement planning
HR Documentation & Compliance
Creation and maintenance of essential HR documents
Employee handbooks, SOPs, policies, and lifecycle documentation
Retention and destruction best practices
Payroll Audits
- Classification checks (employee vs. contractor)
- Bonus and overtime accuracy
- Multi-state payroll tax compliance
- Timekeeping and wage accuracy
Performance Management & Succession Planning
- Design and implementation of performance review systems
- Leadership training and succession strategies
HR Technology & Systems(HRIS/ATS/PEO)
- Evaluation and selection of HR software and platforms
- Transition support and best practices
- PEO (Professional Employer Organization) guidance
Small Business Compliance
- Regulatory guidance as your team grows
- Labor law poster audits and remote worker compliance
And more
All the services listed above represent only a selection of what we offer. We invite you to contact us directly to inquire about additional services tailored to your specific needs.
Why Choose Us?
At the heart of our business model is a commitment to building strong, sustainable relationships. We don’t just fill roles—we partner with you to strengthen your business by placing the right people and proactively identifying potential challenges before they become costly issues.
Our Placement Guarantee
Our engagement doesn’t end when a candidate starts. We remain actively involved for the first six months of every placement, checking in bi-monthly with both the client and the candidate to ensure mutual satisfaction. If the fit isn’t right, we’ll replace the candidate at no additional cost to you. That’s our guarantee—because we believe in doing our due diligence to foster long-term, productive working relationships.
The True Cost of Hiring
Hiring is expensive—and hiring the wrong person is even more costly. Consider these industry-backed insights:
“The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) notes the cost to hire a new worker is around 1.25 to 1.4 times the base salary.” How Much Does an Employee Cost You? | U.S. Small Business Administration
“…Gallup study determined that the cost to replace workers who quit can be anywhere from one-half to two times the workers’ salary.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the cost of a bad hire can equal up to 30% of the employee’s annual salary. The Hidden Costs of a Bad Hire: How to Avoid Them in 2025 – Trevor Frances Recruitment
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Fractional HR: Your Compliance Safety Net
– Incomplete or incorrect forms
– Failure to retain forms for required periods
– Failure to produce forms during an audit
– $272 to $2,701 per form for substantive violations
– Up to $27,108 per unauthorized worker
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (ICE)
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- Misclassifying employees as independent contractors (denying minimum wage/overtime).
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- Incorrectly labeling workers as “exempt” (e.g., assuming salaried roles automatically exempt).
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- State-specific penalties: Some jurisdictions impose higher fines or treble damages for willful violations.